NewsMakers from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The 2019 Alberta Environmental Stewardship Award was presented to Coulee Crest Farms of Red Deer County during the Alberta Beef Producers AGM in December. Randy and Sandra Radau and family (photo above), who raise purebred Hereford cattle on their farm east of Bowden, were in attendance for the presentation of the award at the event’s banquet. They were recognized for their use of an innovative rotational grazing system in the Spruce Coulee, an area deemed environmentally significant by the county.

Shannon McArton.photo: Supplied

Shannon McArton received the BMO Celebrating Women in Agriculture award during Canadian Western Agribition in Regina last November.

McArton farms at Dilke, Sask., and also runs her own company, McArton and Associates Consulting, which focuses on communications, event planning and quality systems management in the seed industry. She served as Canadian Western Agribition president in 2007 and 2008, and on the board of directors from 1996 to 2011. McArton also mentors other women and volunteers with Ag in the Classroom and the Findlater Ranch Rodeo.

McArton said she accepted the award on behalf of previous generations of farm women “who worked incredibly hard — physical labour, holding the farm together, holding the family together — in a time when respect and opportunity and recognition was a lot harder to gain than it is now.”

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Craig and Jinel Ference of Double F Farms and brothers Jordan and Alex McKay of Willow Tree Farms were named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers at an event held in Winnipeg, Man., in early December.

Double F Farms, based in Kirriemuir, Alta., includes a 400-head cow herd, 8,000- head feedlot, plus several thousand acres of crop and grazing. The Ferences also operate a custom-farming business. Their goal is to “work smarter and do more with less,” states a release.

Willow Tree Farm, based in Port Perry, Ont., is a vertically-integrated operation that focuses on providing local food. The business includes a 4,300-square-foot retail space, complete with butcher shop and commercial kitchen. The McKay brothers’ 650-acre farm employs more than 35 people to manage crops, sheep and cattle.

Dr. J. Larry Delver.photo: Supplied

Dr. J. Larry Delver passed away on November 24, 2018, at 80 years of age. Delver was born and raised near Saskatoon, and received his DVM from the University of Guelph. He was a staunch supporter of the cattle industry, sitting on committees for Alberta Beef Producers, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Western Stockgrowers and the International Embryo Technology Society, to name a few. He has been a commercial producer as well as a purebred producer for many years. Delver will probably be best known for his work with the CFIA as the veterinary program officer for imports, western region. His honesty, friendliness and sensible thinking were admired by many in the industry and will be missed. Delver is survived by his wife Hilary, son Curtis (Marney), and his grandchildren Justin and Cassie.

Chris Martin.photo: Supplied

Chris Martin of Alma, Ont., was elected chair of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association during the association’s 2018 conference in Calgary this past November.

Shannon Argent assumes the role of Verified Beef Production Plus business manager on January 7. Most recently, Argent managed Olds College’s technology access centre for livestock production. Before that she was Alberta’s provincial co-ordinator for the VBP+ program. Argent and her family ranch northwest of Cremona, Alta.

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The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has named the recipients of its 2018 awards. Recipients will receive their awards at the association’s banquet in February.

Dr. Robert Jones was named the 2018 Veterinarian of the Year. Dr. Peter Martin will receive the Meritorious Service award. Cindee Burns will receive the Registered Veterinary Technologist of the Year award. The AVMA will also bestow Dr. Graeme Boender with the Young Veterinarian of the Year award, Dr. Cody Creelman with the Communications award and Dr. Kevin Breker with the Outstanding Mentor award.

The Canadian Angus Association named Mark Shologan and the team at Direct Livestock Marketing Systems (DLMS) the Western Partner of the Year for 2018. DLMS, based in St. Albert, Alta., is an online cattle auction that works with markets and representatives in the prairie provinces. The system links Western Canadian cattle producers with buyers from across North America. DLMS auctions feature instant bidding, streaming audio of a live auctioneer and live video.

The Alberta Beef Producers’ executive members will return for another term after the organization’s annual general meeting, held December 3 to 5 in Calgary. Charlie Christie of Trochu, Alta., will continue to serve as ABP’s chair, while Kelly Smith-Fraser of Pine Lake and Melanie Wowk of Beauvallon were re-elected as vice-chair and finance chair, respectively.

Todd Lewis of Gray, Sask., remains president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) after the group’s AGM, held in Regina during November. Lewis was first elected president in 2016. Ian Boxall of Tisdale also remains in the vice-president chair. Bill Prybylski of Willowbrook was elected vice-president for the first time. APAS representatives also elected two new directors to the board: Steve Donald, from the RM of Martin in District One and Devin Harlick, from the RM of Piapot in District Three. Re-elected directors include James Vogt, Terry Anthony, Rick Jensen, Donavon Block, Mickey Palfy, Scott Owens and Bill Warrington.

Myles Immerkar.photo: Supplied

Myles Immerkar took the reins of the Canadian Angus Association on January 2. Immerkar was raised on a mixed farm in Manitoba. Immerkar is currently a board member at the Canadian Beef Breeds Council. He has over 20 years of leadership experience, including 16 years at Semex Alliance. Immerkar is relocating from Ontario to Alberta for the position.

“I am passionate about the cattle industry and it is an honour to have the opportunity to serve the Canadian Angus Association as its CEO at this exciting time,” stated Immerkar in a Canadian Angus Association release.

Monica Hadarits.photo: Supplied

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has appointed Monica Hadarits as executive director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. She joined the CRSB in 2015, serving first as community engagement manager and later as programs and certification director. After graduating with a master’s of science degree from the University of Guelph, she focused on sustainable agriculture in rural communities across Canada and international agriculture research in South America. Her appointment was effective December 1, 2018.

London-based marketing agency ON Communication has appointed a new executive team after the retirement of its vice-presidents and founders, Robert and Michelle Boyer. Tony Mazzotta and Scott Hill have been appointed managing directors. ON works with several agricultural clients including animal health brands.

Darren Chapman of Virden has been re-elected chair of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association. Joining him on the executive are finance chair Ryan Boyd of Forrest and vice-chair Larry Wegner of Virden. Arron Nerbas of Shellmouth was elected as the producer representative to the MFGA board while Mike Duguid of Camp Morton was named the Manitoba Beef Producers representative.

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